Hi again, Today I happened upon a slab of brushed absolute black at the granite place. It was gray, instead of the usual black. I have a honed sample that is also black. But I guess with "brushed" it comes out gray. I like it a lot. It looks like concrete (which I priced and was too much in my area). But then my excitement faded when the granite guy told me that it would have to be sealed to prevent oil from staining it. And it would look black when sealed! Do any of you have brushed AB? Is there someway to keep the gray look and protect it from oil stains? I love to fry, and it will be around the cooktop . . . Limommy - the Neolith place did not have a calacatta sample, or have it there to look at. I too wonder if it would feel like stone or not.

WOW...replacing your counters after one year? I wish my husband wanted to change ours to a solid surface. lol For my past darker granite counter tops, I used CINCH to clean them. It didn't leave the filmy looking streaks like the other cleaners. I loved those counter tops, and unlike you, could see all crumbs because the surface was so smooth. They were always very shiny. I am not that crazy about my new granite counters. They are rough, and so busy that I cannot see the crumbs.

I am a fabricator. Adding a charge for a wall that isn't straight is ridiculous. Walls are never straight. (well, almost never.) This "rope a dope" pricing is common at the low end. Low ball price per sq. ft. advertisers typically add for a finished edge, a sink cutout, the sink installation, splash, dishwasher install, and whatever else they can think of. To me this is a dishonest business practice. quoting a price per sq. ft. for a kitchen and not including a sink cutout is like advertising a price for a car and then adding an upcharge for tires. There are, however, legitimate reasons for adds. We quote from drawings and then sometimes find at the field measure (our 1st time at the house) that the install will take extra personnel due to physical challenges like steep stairs or split stairs with a 180 degree turn. Those adds are reasonable because there is no way for the estimator to include them and the customer almost never realizes their particular layout will make things more difficult.

Ak, I agree with Karin-there are many stones sold in the market that are misclassified .So important to test the stones you are thinking about purchasing. Educated consumers are important when it comes to choosing a stone. Honed black Absolute is generally color enhanced (color enhancing sealer) when delivered and installed. Color enhancers can be impregnating or topical. Honed black ab under a microscope looks like a Thomas English muffin-nooks and crannies. So the color enhancer becomes a topical coating(in the case of black ab) as the stone is too dense to let it absorb below the surface. Any topical coating will require maintenance from time to time as it is susceptible to wear . In our business we refinish many color enhanced honed black absolute countertops every year. We always show our clients the surfaces after we remove the color enhancers. Some opt to have the enhancers reapplied(darkens the stone) and some actually love it with a natural finish. We are always asked if it should be sealed. We explain the nature of the stone that because of it character it will require a little extra care to maintain. A good daily stone safe alkaline cleaner with a higher than neutral PH that is formulated to breakdown grease and oil will work fine. These type cleaners are usually ready to use and don't need to be rinsed. It is also wise to have on hand a stone safe high alkaline(PH between 11.5 and 13) cleaner to use when the daily cleaner reached its limit. Because of the nature of this stone with its microscopic nooks and crannies oils and grease can get embedded into the surface. It wont stain but to the untrained owner it sure can look like one. The high alkaline cleaner are usually concentrated and need diluting.(these type cleaners will need rinsing as well.) will emulsify the oil and grease. These products will help you manage dense stones especially honed black ab.